Need help finding a program

[CADtroll]

I don't know if this the right place to post this...but here it goes: I am constantly having customers emailing drawing files to me in a format with which I am unfamiliar and don't have the proper program with which to open. I only need to open the files for viewing and printing/plotting, NOT editing. Can anyone recommend an inexpensive but comprehensive program that I can buy that will open various file formats? My latest problem has been .stp files. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. (Also, if this question would be better posted in another forum, please advise where)
Thanks,
Troll

 

[Exxit]

Troll,
search in

http://filext.com/

->

STP 3D Graphic
STP Acrobat Exchange Plug-in (Adobe)
STP AP203 Step File
STP DART Pro 98 System Settings
STP ISO-10303 STEP Product Data
STP NASCAR Racing 2002 Track Picture (Sierra)
STP PageKeeper Packed Storage File

-> what do You think is the right one?-> search for the editing program-> ask for an viewer...

Lothar

ADT 2004
ACAD 2002

 

[Ralph2]

A VERY good one from

http://www.slickwin.com/

$89.00 US. This was a problem at our shop as well. We have only one "seat" for AutopCAD yet numerous departments need to be able to view / print drawings. And, as a jobbing shop, we are always getting customers drawings made in as many formats (and versions) as there are types. Slick (5 seats) has worked very well in our case.
Good Luck
Ralph

 

[Ralph2]

Should have done the research before I posted.. Slick has a listing of the available formats

http://www.slickwin.com/skftp/sk80fmt.pdf

and checking your requested *.STP does not appear in the list..
Sorry..... but it is still a fine viewer
P.S. just idle curiosity,, what makes a STP file?

 

[CADtroll]

Ralph2,
You know from what I've been able to find out, an .STP file is made by various programs. I just read something that said you can open them with Notepad. So assuming my file is nothing but coordinates, I guess it's O.K.
I am going to check out the program you suggested and hopefully it'll do us some good. It sounds like you and I are in similar situations. I work for a job shop, too and it's amazing the variety of file formats some customers can use. And some of them seem to think that their vendors (us) are all rolling in money and able to update these multi-thousand dollar programs every year. Anyway, thanks for your help.
Troll